# Dueling and Masculine Honor in Sanine

> Theme guide for Sanine by Mikhail Artsybashev.

The code of dueling is satirized through Sanine's refusal to fight Sarudine, exposing the absurdity of honor-based violence and the cowardice behind social expectations of masculinity.

## Where it surfaces

- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xvi): Novikoff's near-confrontation with Sarudine and his internal struggle over honor and impotence reflect the theme of masculine honor.
- [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxix): Sanine's refusal to duel Sarudine directly challenges the officer class's code of honor, exposing its absurdity and hypocrisy.
- [The Confrontation in the Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxx): Sanine's refusal to duel and subsequent physical blow challenge traditional codes of honor.
- [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxxi): Sarudine's obsession with the disgrace of being struck in the face, his inability to provoke a duel, and the social pressure to resign highlight the absurdity and cruelty of the honor code.
- [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxxiii): The characters debate the morality of dueling versus fisticuffs, with Sanine's blow and Sarudine's suicide highlighting the clash between traditional honor codes and modern sensibilities.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/themes/dueling_and_masculine_honor
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/themes